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Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Successful Event Results in Over 1,300 Job Offers, Model for Events Across U.S.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs has concluded its National Veteran Small Business Conference, Open House and Hiring Fair in Detroit, where employers offered more than 1,300 jobs to Veterans and conducted more than 5,500 interviews.

“The National Veteran Small Business Conference, Open House and Hiring Fair has been a tremendous success,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “The event helped thousands of Veterans many different ways. Many received job offers, others received access to the health care and benefits they have earned, while others received information that will help them build their business.”

More than 8,000 Veterans attended the three-day Hiring Fair and Open House June 26-28 at the Detroit Cobo Center. VA partnered with the First Lady’s Joining Forces initiative, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program, and more than 260 private sector companies, as well as governmental departments and agencies.

“Veterans make excellent employees, and they are exceptional leaders in any organization,” said Shinseki. “America needs the skills, knowledge and attributes that Veterans bring to help rebuild our economy. While we achieved encouraging results in Detroit, this Administration remains committed to help all Veterans become career-ready and find meaningful employment.”

VA will build on the success of the event by joining with Hiring Our Heroes at similar upcoming Hiring Fairs across the country in Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, Houston, San Diego, San Antonio, Cincinnati, Chicago and Tampa.

The Veteran Open House gave Veterans the opportunity for Veterans and their families to find out about the full range of care, benefits, and resources available from VA. Approximately 2,100 Veterans created online accounts for VA benefits or received information about VA’s extensive array of programs for Veterans. Over 140 medical and dental exams were conducted, and over 3,500 Veterans were referred for care.

The National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo is the premier government event for Veteran-owned businesses. VA provided more than 3,500 Veteran-owned and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned businesses with a wide range of information to help them maximize opportunities in the federal workplace.

A survey of the Veterans attending the Detroit Hiring Fair showed that:

• 94% of Veteran attendees felt welcomed and appreciated.

• 89% of Veterans received information and/or benefits and services important to them.

• 78% of attendees felt they learned information that will help make them career-ready

At the fair, VA showcased its VA for Vets program, which provides an online “high-tech” and “high touch” approach to recruiting, hiring, and reintegrating Veterans into civilian careers. Approximately 5,400 Veterans signed up for the program making them eligible to receive continued coaching, training, and electronic information about career opportunities. VA for Vets offers the most advanced integrated military skills translator and career assessment tool available.